SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department received a grant award notification of $1,875,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and is in the process of accepting the federal funding.

After acceptance, the Police Department will be able to hire 15 new officers, with the grant augmenting the cost of salaries and benefits for 36 months. To fulfill the community policing plan outlined in our application, one position is designated to hiring at least one post-9/11 military veteran and commits to retain the 15 officers for a minimum of 12 months beyond the 36-month grant period.

The COPS Hiring Program provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire career law enforcement officers. Additional resources dedicated to Community-Oriented Policing tactics can mean deterring criminal activity before it happens, focusing on pro-active policing throughout Salt Lake City. More officers also means strengthening our community partnership, affording our officers the time to work as a part of our community, not apart from it.

Please see this link for additional details on the COPS Hiring Program (CHP): http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2367

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